Free FM – The Free Breakfast

Join our team on The Free Breakfast! Featuring diverse music, including a weekly feature artist, regular and one-off interviews with people from the wider community and RNZ News.
The Free Breakfast is truly LIVE and LOCAL breakfast radio! If you or your community group are up to anything exciting, give the station a call to discuss a live [or pre-recorded] interview and we're always keen for promotional giveaways!

Play Episodes

Episode Information

Free FM – The Free Breakfast – 13-09-2019
In this episode... Cate Prestidge talks with Peppa Torre — organiser of the 16th annual Hispanic Festival, which is being held at Hamilton Gardens on Saturday 14 September.Download Episode

Free FM – The Free Breakfast – 03-09-2019
In this episode... Kelli Pike talks to Mary and Kathy from the Music Moves me Trust, about the value of music as a therapy for people living with dementia and their upcoming Lake Walk fundraiser.Download Episode

Free FM – The Free Breakfast – 28-08-2019
In this episode... Kelli Pike talks to Hamilton Mayor Andrew King about the Hamilton-Auckland corridor, the relationship with central government and the Living Wage. Download Episode

Free FM – The Free Breakfast – 22-08-2019
In this episode... Cate Prestidge talks with Mike Williams about the stage show Catch Me If You Can, which opens at Riverlea Theatre on August 31.Download Episode

Free FM – The Free Breakfast – 31-07-2019
In this episode... Mark Bunting talks with Cara Ferris from Showing Waikato about the 127th Waikato A&P show which is on at Claudelands Showgrounds from November 1-3. Download Episode

Free FM – The Free Breakfast – 24-07-2019
In this episode... Mark Bunting talks with Wiremu Puke about ancient carvings, Kirikiriroa pa sites and what suburbs are we putting in the wrong place.Download Episode

Free FM – The Free Breakfast – 19-07-2019
In this episode... Mike Williams talks with Hamilton composer Janet Jennings about the success of the her work 'Play-Pen' which was recorded at the Gallagher Centre for the Performing Arts in 2018. The recording has been in the top 10 of Classical sales charts for six weeks.Download Episode

Free FM – The Free Breakfast – 16-07-2019
Kelli Pike talks to Rashmi Bhati about this week’s Art of Living course, where participants will learn the practice of Sudarshan Kriya.Download Episode

Free FM – The Free Breakfast – 09-07-2019
Kelli Pike talks to University of Waikato Prof Mark Harcourt about research around automatic enrolment in union membership as a tool to address inequality.Download Episode

Free FM – The Free Breakfast – 14-06-2019
Mike Williams talks with Waikato Police Iwi Liaison Officer Anaru Grant about alternative resolutions strategies and the way this is changing outcomes for people who make mistakes in life.Download Episode

Free FM – The Free Breakfast – 13-06-2019
Cate Prestidge talks with Kira Josephson about her starring role in Hamilton Operatic Society's production of Sweet Charity, which opens next week.Download Episode

Free FM – The Free Breakfast (A) – 11-06-2019
Kelli talks to Jake Ngawaka and Sash Rinaldi about this weekend’s 48 hour film festival – where teams write, shoot and edit a film in one weekend. They also announce a competition to have the registration fee waived if you get in quick! Download Episode

Free FM – The Free Breakfast – 14-05-2019
Kelli Pike talks with Harry Luteru from Salvation Army Oasis about gambling harm and how we can prevent Hamilton having the highest number of pokie machines per capita. Gambling commission submissions need to be sent before Friday May 17. Download Episode

Free FM – The Free Breakfast – 10-05-2019
Mike Williams talks with Howard Vickridge, Manager of Dementia Waikato... a not-for-profit organisation which supports those diagnosed with dementia and their whanau. They discuss the many diseases which come under the dementia umbrella and the upcoming appeal week for Dementia Waikato.Download Episode

Free FM – The Free Breakfast – 07-05-2019
Kelli Pike talks to Anna Casey-Cox from Go Eco about the latest UN report into biodiversity and how we can channel our concerns into local action. Download Episode

Free FM – The Free Breakfast – 30-04-2019
Kelli Pike talks to Tracey Slaughter about the launch of her new collection of poems 'Conventional Weapons'.Download Episode

Free FM – The Free Breakfast – 16-04-2019
Kelli Pike talks with Hamilton Mayor Andrew King about the Community Land Trust and the Te Awa lake development.Download Episode

Free FM – The Free Breakfast – 09-04-2019
Kelli talks with Samantha Rose about community land trusts and how they could benefit Hamilton.Download Episode

Free FM – The Free Breakfast – 05-04-2019
The first of a regular series where Mike Williams talks with Sgt Pere Paea from Hamilton Police, about a variety of community related subjects.Download Episode

Free FM – The Free Breakfast – 28-03-2019
Kelli Pike talks to Robin Treadwell about Our Climate Declaration which calls on New Zealanders to stop the bad, bring on the good and pressure government to take action on climate change.Download Episode

Free FM – The Free Breakfast – 19-03-2019
Kelli Pike talks to Hamilton Mayor Andrew King about what we can do to support the Muslim community; a report into changing Hamilton street names and why he thinks his billboards are not early electioneering.Download Episode

Free FM – The Free Breakfast – 05-03-2019
Kelli Pike talks to Chris Eames, Associate Prof. from the University of Waikato about supporting students to take climate action through strikes on March 15th. Download Episode

Free FM – The Free Breakfast – 01-03-2019
Mike Williams talks to Christine Barbour, convenor of the Hamilton branch of the NZ Society of Genealogists, and Sandra Metcalfe, convenor of the Te Awamutu branch, about families and history.Download Episode

Free FM – The Free Breakfast – 01-03-2019
Mike Williams talks with writer/actor Lisa Brickell about the play Mockingbird, which is on stage at The Meteor Theatre in Hamilton for one performance next Thursday. It's a dark comedy, exploring post natal depression.Download Episode

Free FM – The Free Breakfast – 26-02-2019
Kelli Pike talks to Alex Ellis from Flaxworks Theatre Company about their forthcoming show 'Conversations With Dead Relatives' which features in this year's Hamilton Gardens Arts Festival.Download Episode

Free FM – The Free Breakfast – 20-02-2019
Mark Bunting talks with Rob Hamill about the family's experience as the Cruisjng Kiwis, sailing their catamaran Javelot around the world, starting in the South Pacific.Download Episode

Free FM – The Free Breakfast – 19-02-2019
Kelli Pike talks to fellow Free FM content creator Dan Armstrong about his second season of The Locals. The Locals profiles interesting people and stories of the Waipa and airs on Thursdays at 10.30am.Download Episode

Free FM – The Free Breakfast – 12-02-2019
Kelli Pike talks to Dave MacPherson about the latest hurdle the family is facing in their battle to hold the Waikato District Health Board to account for the death of their son and brother Nicky while under the care of the Henry Bennett Centre in 2015.Download Episode

Free FM – The Free Breakfast – 05-02-2019
Kelli Pike talks to Zeta Mohn about the Ignite Women's Retreat for 14-17 year-olds, run by Shama and the YWCA.Download Episode

Free FM – The Free Breakfast – 17-01-2019
Cate Prestige talks with Jay Spencer from Arts for Health about their inaugural Arts in the Park event, coming up on Saturday January 19.Download Episode

Free FM – The Free Breakfast – 19-12-2018
Mark Bunting was joined by Cara Ferris, an Orini resident who is fervently opposed to a mega egg factory farm planned for the region. She's not alone – Direct Animal Action said it would be 'a huge, stinky, industrial eyesore'.Download Episode

Free FM – The Free Breakfast – 18-12-2018
Kelli Pike talks to Paul Trenwith, host of Free FM show ‘Back Porch Bluegrass’ and recipient of the Queens service medal for services to country music, about the inaugural Kiwigrass festival, 1-3 February next year. Download Episode

Free FM – The Free Breakfast – 30-11-2018
Mike Williams has a special interview with Roman Benson (bassist) from Gisborne punk band Sit Down In Front. Mike talks with him about their upcoming shows and the history of this extraordinary band. Download Episode

Free FM – The Free Breakfast – 29-11-2018
Mike Williams talks with Sam Fowles from Ghost Who Walks – a funkster band from Wellington who have just released their first EP this year and are on a tour of 11 North Island cities.Download Episode

Free FM – The Free Breakfast – 28-11-2018
Mark Bunting talks to comedian Dylan Stewart about his show 'D.I.V.O.R.C.E, The Home Game!' which features as part of the Hamilton Fringe Festival this year.Download Episode

Free FM – The Free Breakfast – 23-11-2018
Mike Williams talks to Free FM Hamilton Waikato featured FIRST Union’s Transport, Logistics and Manufacturing Divisional Secretary Jared Abbott, about the lock-out of Go Bus drivers over a dispute over pay rates and the union's push for a living wage for drivers.Download Episode

Free FM – The Free Breakfast – 13-11-2018
Kelli Pike speaks to Cian Gardner from Cove Theatre about Rauru, a play which explores concepts of family, identity and loss.Download Episode

Free FM – The Free Breakfast – 16-11-2018
Mike Williams talks with playwright James Cain, about his play 'Movers' – on stage at the Meteor Theatre, Hamilton form November 27-29.Download Episode

Free FM – The Free Breakfast – 09-11-2018
Liz and Tim Carpenter from the Hamilton Civic Choir talk about their even coming up on armistice day (Sunday the 11th of November)Download Episode

Free FM – The Free Breakfast – 02-11-2018
Mike Williams talks with David Sidwell about Wintec's new Bachelor of Music and Performing Arts (Theatre), launching next year.Download Episode

Free FM – The Free Breakfast – 30-10-2018
Kelli Pike speaks with Judy and Megan from the Hamilton advocacy group 'Sink or Swim' about why the Municipal Pools on Victoria Street should be saved.Download Episode

Free FM – The Free Breakfast – 23-10-2018
Kelli Pike talks to Tracey Slaughter, writer and editor of the literary journal ‘Mayhem’. Issue 6 of the journal is being launched at an event at the Meteor on October 26.Download Episode

Free FM – The Free Breakfast – 23-10-2018
Kelli Pike talks to Derek Jacombs from Tauranga based blues band Kokomo. Formed in 1991 as Kokomo Blues Band (named after an early blues song, not the Beach Boys hit) Derek talks about being influenced by pre-war blues and shares highlights from their 30-year history including their performance at the 1999 Sweetwater Festival. Kokomo perform at Nivara Lounge on October 27.Download Episode

Free FM – The Free Breakfast – 16-10-2018
Kelli talks to Angela O’Leary (Hamilton City Councillor) about the recent purchase of Victoria street buildings and then what her suggestions are for anyone thinking about putting themselves forward in next October’s local government elections. Download Episode

Free FM – The Free Breakfast – 09-10-2018
Special on the voting with one of the founders of Seed WaikatoDownload Episode

Free FM – The Free Breakfast – 05-09-2018
Mark Bunting talks with Scot Hall, director of the Bold Theatre production of Urinetown, on stage at The Meteor Theatre from September 21-29Download Episode

Free FM – The Free Breakfast – 04-09-2018
Kelli Pike speaks with writer / director Dustin Feneley about his debut feature film Stray, which tells the story of two damaged strangers coming together against the backdrop of the Southern Alps. Stray is being screened as part of the NZ International Film Festival in Hamilton from September 9. Download Episode

Free FM – The Free Breakfast – 28-08-2018
Kelli Pike talks to Jasmine, from Blackflax: Be inspired, about the kaupapa of her kete and plans to share the tikanga and practice of raranga (weaving). Download Episode

Free FM – The Free Breakfast – 22-08-2018
Host Mark Bunting talks with Jarek Beksa of Sonnar Interactive, and Free FM General Manager Phil Grey, about the rapid rise of smart speakers and how this technology is set to have a major impact in the world of radio and on-line information services. Is the likes of Amazon's Echo device the next Big Thing? Probably, yes.Download Episode

Free FM – The Free Breakfast – 21-08-2018
Kelli Pike talks to Mayor Andrew King to find out his perspectives on the 10-year plan outcomes, the Maori representation decision, and the Representation Review of which consultation starts on August 24. Download Episode

Free FM – The Free Breakfast – 16-08-2018
Cate Prestidge talks with Nutritional Biochemist and author Dr Libby Weaver, who will be speaking at the Claudelands Conference & Event Centre, Heaphy Rooms from 7pm-9pm, Wednesday 22nd August as part of her 24 stop Australasian tour The Hormone Factor live event.Download Episode

Free FM – The Free Breakfast – 16-08-2018
Cate Prestidge talks with animal rights campaigner Sandra Kyle about her book 'Glass Walls' which features Sandra’s Facebook posts about her (mainly solitary) slaughterhouse vigils over more than two years.Download Episode